Thread: The Brick vs. Aphex 107 with 12AT7 Tubes

I own both of these. They are 2 very different beasts. Both have tubes in their circuit, but beyond that...
What type of material and sources are you going to be dealing with? The Brick makes a great DI for bass and some keys, and offers some coloration when used with used with dynamic and some ribbon mics. It is a "true" high-voltage tube pre, but its' lack of output level control can make for problems down the line when connected to an interface or mixer.
All that gain-GOBS of it- can be a problem sometimes.
The 107 is much more refined. Less raunch, a smoother sheen, maybe a bit quieter. 2 channels vs. single, with polarity reversing and better gain and level control. Not a "true" high-voltage tube circuit, let the techies work that out (eh, Link?). And I've even found a use for the remote muting feature. The negatives? A wall wart power supply, no DI provisions, and of course, it is out of production. You can still find these at a bargain price on CL and e-Bay, many times around $100...

Does the 107 still offer the warmth and coloration that so many claim the brick offers?

The 107 is cheaper, and I'd rather have 2 channels anyway. I'm running them into a FirePod, bypassing the PreSonus pre's. Using condenser and dynamic mics. SM57's, C414, Audix D6, etc.

The Aphex 107 used a new(at the time) idea, they called tubessence or RPA (Reflected Plate Amplifier).

Basically its a circuit that operates tubes plate at a constant low DC potential. However they use a current mirror to extract the proper plate current. This way there is very little plate voltage swing, so they can operate from a low DC plate voltage.


This is not extactly a starved plate amp though. Typically a starved plate amp limits the current though a large value dropping ressitor (5-10 meg or so). This causes a big voltage drop at the plate, and little current. The 107 doesn't do that.

This starved plate idea is what you find the Tubedriver distortion pedal....at least the smaller version seen at the link below:

http://www.elisanet.fi/flaser_phange...ube_driver.jpg

Anyway, they are as Moonbaby said- different.

What you you mainly using it for?

I'll be using it in my home studio as a preamp to help warm up my tracks. Vocal, guitar, drums.

I don't have a brick. But the aphex 107 will be able to handle all of those applications and add some warmth, its subtle though...The problem with 107 are noise at high gain settings. Its a bit noisy but the construction is decent and the parts selection for the time was also very good. For $100 bucks you can't go wrong.

I just want a noticeably warmer sound. I've heard great reviews on the Brick accomplishing this. Is the 107 comparable?

Would upgrading the tube to anything make the 107 even better? I'm sure you guys have experimented a bit.

Thanks again guys

The 107 was designed to use the 12AT7, but ended p shipping with a 12AX7 in it instead. Replacing that with a 12AT7 is the main upgrade.

Originally Posted by moonbaby

The 107 was designed to use the 12AT7, but ended p shipping with a 12AX7 in it instead. Replacing that with a 12AT7 is the main upgrade.

That would probably clean up some the noise that was being spoken of, correct? I know that even the smallest upset in biasing a tube amp can dirty up the sound and quality quite a bit for power tubes. Same deal with pre-amp tubes?